Comedian and Actor Michael Blackson to Host “THE BET SOCIAL AWARDS”

01/09/18

Executive Produced by Mike Epps “THE BET SOCIAL AWARDS” Will Premiere Live Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 10 P.M./7 P.M. ET/PT

#BETSocialAwards

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, BET Networks announced the nominees and host of “THE BET SOCIAL AWARDS.”Comedianand actor Michael Blackson will host this first-of-its-kind awards show that celebrates the very best (and worst) in social media over the past year. Executive produced by Mike Epps, the social media extravaganza will be filmed LIVE on Sunday, February 11 at 10 PM ET/ 7PM PT in Atlanta. From favorite celebrity follows, to the biggest memes, hashtags and trends of the year, this one-hour event will cover all of the most memorable and talked about social media moments that flooded 2017 timelines.

Blackson also known as “The African King of Comedy” has been entertaining audiences all across the country and around the globe for more than a decade. From his gut-busting stand-up comedy on BET’s Comic View to the scene-stealing performance in the Ice Cube film Next Friday, Blackson continues to bring the LOLs to fans on his social platforms with his one-of-a-kind comedy sketches and humor.

Cardi B, OffSet, Jess Hilarious, Lil Uzi Vert, Duckie Thot, Tami Roman, Tyrese, Salt Bae, the ‘roll safe’ meme are just a few of the nominees up for an award. Who will trend to the top? The power is in the viewer’s hands! Go to BET.COM/SOCIAL to select the five (5) nominees that should make it to the final round for consideration and potentially taking the title in categories such as “Clapback,” “Social Hustle” and more! First round of voting closes Sunday, January 21 at 6 PM EST. The second round of voting featuring the top (5) nominees chosen in the online voting categories opens on Tuesday,January 23 at Noon EST.

The categories for round one of “THE BET SOCIAL AWARDS” online votingare:

ISSA WAVE:Gone are the days of record sales reigning supreme! To be the most influential social artist, you need streams, likes and views — these bubbling artists nabbed all 3. Now the question is, who’s wavy enough to take the crown?

Lil Pump

Lil Yachty

Lil Uzi Vert

H.E.R

21 Savage

Kash Doll

6lack

Post Malone

G Eazy

Logic

SOCIAL HUSTLE:#BookedAndBusy! These influencers are the definition of “no days off.” From sliding onto our timeline and into our hearts, all while securingthe bag, that's a true hustler mentality. Vote now for your favorite!

CallHimRenny

FatBoySSE

Kendallkyndall

Jess Hilarious

WatchJazzy

J Mulan

Duckie Thot

King Keraun

DC Young Fly

DJ Akademiks

LMAO!:Social media is the new frontier of comedy and these nominees always keep us laughing 24/7. From their hilarious posts to their ability to pick us up when we’re down, these nominees take the cake for best social media comedians. Who served up the best kiki?

Blame It On Kway

Reggie Couz

Jess Hilarious

YesI’mPrettyVee

HaHa Davis

King Bach

LaLaSizaHands89

Tami Roman

Mr_HotSpot

2realmacdatfee

CLAPBACK:If you troll, they’re trolling back! Internet beef is nothing new, but when these nominees let loose, the whole world notices. From clever reads to snatching edges, these nominees are known to put people back in their place. Whose clapback game was the strongest?

Chrissy Teigen

Remy Ma

Maxine Waters

Angela Rye

Sharon Reed

Amanda Seales

Jess Hillarious

Erykah Badu

Michael Rapaport

Rihanna

BEST PODCAST:Pop in your headphones, you’re in for a treat. These podcasts are the voice of the people, and we want to know which one is your favorite!

The Drink Champs

The Bodega Boys

Rap Radar with Elliott Wilson

The Read

Two Dope Queens

Joe Budden

Pod Save The People

The Brilliant Idiots

Another Round

On One With Angela Rye

MOOD AF:Let’s celebrate the memes and gifs that came out of nowhere, took over our timelines and showcased clever moods, shade and subs we didn’t even know we needed.

Produced by BET Networks, “THE BET SOCIAL AWARDS” is executive produced by Mike Epps, Kyra Robinson and Eric Conte.

To apply for media credentials to cover the “THE BET SOCIAL AWARDS” please email [email protected].

For updates and more information about “THE BET SOCIAL AWARDS”, please visit BET.COM/SOCIAL. Join the conversation on social media by logging on to our social media platforms using the hashtag: #BETSocialAwards.

ABOUT BET NETWORKS

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ:VIA)(NASDAQ:VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel is in nearly 85 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa, France and South Korea. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions including BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER (formerly CENTRIC), a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET Networks around the globe.